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Electric car sharing scheme to launch in Suffolk next summer

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Attwells Solicitors

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Suffolk residents will soon have access to short-term electric vehicle rentals, with a new car club scheme set to launch across eight locations in the county next summer.

The big picture: Plug In Suffolk Car Clubs will place 16 electric vehicles across Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Newmarket, Sudbury, Needham Market, Stowmarket, Lowestoft and Woodbridge.

Residents will be able to book vehicles by the minute, hour or day.

Why it matters: The scheme aims to:

  • Improve air quality

  • Reduce congestion

  • Increase mobility for those without access to a car

  • Support Suffolk's climate goals of reducing car numbers and increasing low-emission vehicles

By the numbers:

  • 16 electric vehicles

  • 8 locations across Suffolk, including Ipswich

  • Aiming for 2-4 cars in Ipswich, with the final numbers to be confirmed following a procurement exercise

What they're saying: Councillor Neil MacDonald, Chair of Suffolk Public Sector Leaders, said: "Suffolk residents have been asking about the possibility of bringing car clubs to Suffolk following the recent success of the car club trial in Oxfordshire, therefore I am looking forward to the launch of our trial."

He added: "I am hoping that many individuals and families will benefit from the scheme and help to bring electric community vehicles permanently to our county."

Between the lines: Suffolk's public sector organisations fund the project, with additional charge point funding from the Department for Transport's On-Street Residential ChargePoint Scheme (ORCS).

Private providers have been reluctant to fully fund electric community vehicles in rural and semi-rural areas like Suffolk due to a lack of real-world usage data.

What's next: The scheme's tender process begins this month. Interested residents can sign up for updates via the Plug in Suffolk Car Clubs mailing list.

The bottom line: This initiative supports two key goals of the Suffolk Climate Emergency Plan: reducing the number of cars on the road and increasing the proportion of low or zero-emission vehicles.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

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Computer scientist son of micro-brewery owner first to complete Ipswich pub trail

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Attwells Solicitors

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Adam Littler, a 23-year-old computer scientist whose parents were brewers, has become the first person to complete both Sip'Swich drinks trails, visiting all 15 venues in just two days.

Why it matters: The Sip'Swich trails, organised by Ipswich Central  in conjunction with Ipswich Borough Council, aim to showcase the town's brilliant selection of pubs and bars to a wider audience, helping people discover new venues they've never visited before.

The big picture: Littler, who moved to Ipswich six months ago, was awarded a limited edition Sip'Swich reusable cup and received a surprise £50 voucher from men's retailer James St. Peter's for being the first to complete both trails.

Mark Hubert of James St. Peters presenting Adam Littler with his voucher
Mark Hubert of James St. Peters presenting Adam Littler with his voucherIpswich Central

What they're saying: "Having moved to Ipswich six months ago and loving a drink with friends, when I saw the trails being promoted in the local paper newsfeed it was right up my street as something to do!" Littler said.

By the numbers: The ambitious pub-goer visited 13 venues on Saturday 8 March before returning to complete the final two a couple of days later. He collected his prize less than a week after the trails launched.

The details: As a computer scientist with brewing in his blood, Littler scored each location on a 1-10 scale rating for enjoyment of the drink, price and atmosphere.

"The Arbor House and Crafty Fox were two venues that I was really impressed with for their friendly and knowledgeable staff plus recommendations they made. The Arbor House was an unexpected gem that I'd go back to, and, the Crafty Fox had a really lovely vibe about it," he said.

To make the challenge more interesting, Littler had a different type of drink in every venue, including wine at Boom Battle Bar, a cocktail at Cosy Club and a spirit at The Black Horse Inn.

Adam Littler sitting in a cafe
Adam Littler was the first to complete the Sip'Swich trailAdam Littler

What's next: Littler plans to do the trail again with another group of friends so his girlfriend can also win a reusable cup. Meanwhile, the trails will run until the end of April or when all prizes have been claimed.

Lee Walker  from Ipswich Central said:

Ipswich is so lucky to have an incredible range of pubs and bars each with their own character and ambience. We devised Sip'Swich as a way of showcasing those places to a wider audience.

The bottom line: Further special prizes will be awarded over the coming weeks, including a voucher for a brewery tour donated by the Briarbank Brewery. Details and trail cards can be downloaded from www.allaboutIpswich.com/sipswich or collected from any of the 15 participating venues.

Attwells staff outside their Ipswich office

An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

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